Top seed David Ferrer booked a place in the second round of the Copa Claro with a hard-fought 7-6(7) 6-4 opening win over Maximo Gonzalez.

The Spanish world number five, twice winner of the title at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club and current defending champion, was pushed all the way in a tight first set, which was eventually settled by a tie-break.

The second set was also evenly-matched but red-dirt specialist Ferrer crucially broke twice to Argentine Gonzalez's once and claimed victory in just over two hours on court.